Power supply for an automotive vehicle

Abstract

An electrical system ( 12 ) is provided for an automotive vehicle ( 10 ) having a first power source ( 14 ) with a first positive terminal ( 16 ) and first negative terminal ( 18 ). A second power source ( 20 ) having a second positive terminal ( 22 ) and a second negative terminal ( 24 ) is also provided. A common electrical node N 2 is coupled to the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal. A first load ( 26 ) is coupled between the first positive terminal and the second node N 2 . A second load ( 30 ) is coupled to the positive terminal. A switch (SW 3 ) is coupled to the second positive terminal ( 22 ), the second negative terminal ( 24 ) and the second load ( 30 ). The switch (SW 3 ) has a first position electrically coupling the second load to the second positive terminal and a second position electrically coupling the second negative terminal to the second load ( 30 ).

1. A power supply system for an automotive vehicle comprising:
 a first power source having a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal;  
 a second power source having a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal;  
 a common electrical node between the first power source and the second power source;  
 a first load coupled between said first positive terminal and said common node;  
 a second load coupled to said first positive terminal;  
 an inverter;  
 a switch coupled to said second positive terminal, said second negative terminal and said inverter, said switch having a first position electrically coupling said second load to said second positive terminal and a second position electrically coupling said second negative terminal to said second load; and  
 a controller coupled to said switch controlling the switching of said switch in response to a predetermined condition.  
 
     
     
       2. A power supply system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the predetermined condition comprises the second power source being charged. 
     
     
       3. A power supply system as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a sensor coupled to said first terminal of said second power source and said controller. 
     
     
       4. A power supply system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first power source and the second power source are disposed with an enclosure. 
     
     
       5. A power supply system as recited in  claim 4  wherein said switch is disposed within the enclosure. 
     
     
       6. A power supply system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second power source comprises a capacitor. 
     
     
       7. A power supply system as recited in  claim 6  wherein said capacitor comprises an ultra capacitor. 
     
     
       8. A power supply system as recited in  claim 6  further comprising a service discharge circuit coupled to said capacitor. 
     
     
       9. A power supply system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said service discharge circuit is coupled in parallel to said capacitor. 
     
     
       10. A power supply system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said service discharge circuit comprises a switch selectively coupling an inverter capacitor to said capacitor. 
     
     
       11. A power supply system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the common node is coupled to a chassis ground. 
     
     
       12. A power supply system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second terminal of the first power source is coupled to a chassis ground. 
     
     
       13. A power supply system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second load comprises an inverter and a motor. 
     
     
       14. A power supply system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first power source has a first voltage rating and said second power source has a second voltage rating equal to said first voltage rating. 
     
     
       15. A method of operating an electrical system for an automotive vehicle comprising:
 operating a first load with a first power source;  
 electrically coupling said first power source and a second power source; and  
 selectively coupling a first terminal or a second terminal of a second power source to an inverter in response to a sensed condition.  
 
     
     
       16. A method as recited in  claim 15  wherein selectively coupling comprises selectively coupling in response to a charge of the second power source. 
     
     
       17. A method as recited in  claim 15  wherein electrically coupling the first power source and the second power source comprises forming a common node between said first power source, said second power source. 
     
     
       18. A method as recited in  claim 15  further comprising discharging the second power source prior to servicing. 
     
     
       19. A method as recited in  claim 18  wherein discharging comprises coupling the second power source to a load. 
     
     
       20. A power supply system for an automotive vehicle comprising:
 a first power source having a first positive terms and a first negative terminal;  
 a second power source having a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal;  
 a common electrical node between the first power source and the second power source;  
 a first load coupled between said first positive terminal and said common node;  
 an inverter coupled to said first positive terminal;  
 an integrated motor generator coupled to said inverter;  
 a switch coupled to said second positive terminal, said second negative terminal and said inverter, said switch having a first position electrically coupling said inverter to said second positive terminal and a second position electrically coupling said second negative terminal to said inverter; and  
 a controlled coupled to said switch controlling the switching of said switch in response to a predetermined condition.